Statin medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, are said to create over 60,000 new diabetics each year. Approximately one year ago, the FDA released a safety announcement which warned statin users of the risk of developing diabetes mellitus when using statins. The FDA reviewed results form the JUPITER trial, and found that investigators reported a 27% increase in diabetes mellitus in patients treated with Crestor (rosuvastatin) compared with placebo. Patients treated with high-dose Lipitor (atorvastatin) were also found to have worsened glycemic control in the PROVE-IT TIMI 22 substudy.

The FDA also conducted a review of the medical literature on statins and found that, in a meta-analysis conducted on statin trials, together totalling 91,140 participants, statin therapy was associated with a 9% risk increase for incident diabetes. Another meta-analysis with 57,593 participants also reported a small increased risk of diabetes. Data from Women's Health Initiative also confirmed that statin use is related to increased risk for new-onset diabetes in postmenopausal women. This study reported that "...the effect appears to be a medication class effect, unrelated to potency or to individual statin."

The above findings have led to the initiation of lawsuits against Lipitor and Crestor. Lawyers are currently reviewing statin data and Lipitor type 2 diabetes side effect claims. For information on these lawsuits, see source 1, source 2, source 3, source 4, source 5.

A new study suggests that statins, cholesterol-lowering medications, do increase the risk of new-onset diabetes. The authors suggest that the increased risk of acquiring diabetes from statins may be a function of impairment of pancreatic beta cell function and decreasing peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Author:

Adrienne is currently completing her J.D. (2019) at Osgoode Hall Law School. She received her M.A. (2012) and Ph.D. (2016) in Health Policy & Equity with a focus on pharmaceutical policy, regulation, and patient safety.